LAST UPDATE: 14:45
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki expressed heartfelt admiration for Archbishop Elpidophoros of America during their concelebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church of St. Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki.
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki expressed gratitude to Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for his visit to Thessaloniki and Mount Athos.
Subsequently, Metropolitan Philotheos referred to the relationship they have developed, describing Archbishop Elpidophoros as his brother in Christ and his friend.
“In today’s Gospel reading, which we heard during our Liturgical Synaxis, we experienced the special joy and blessing of your prominent presence, offering the gifts of the Eucharist to God. We are very happy for your visit. A beloved brother in Christ and allow me… and a friend,” said the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki.
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki welcomed the Archbishop of America, addressing him in the presence of former Metropolitan Anthimos.
“We may belong to different church jurisdictions, although the provinces of Northern Greece, as we know, are under the spiritual shelter and blessing of the Ecumenical Throne. However, in the Divine Eucharist and more broadly in faith, morality, and life, we are one Church,” said the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki.
He added, “We are one Church, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, which, we Orthodox are aware, is hypostatic in our Orthodox Church. So thank you for your visit. ”
Metropolitan Philotheos thanked the Archbishop of America for the visit and the concelebration. He stressed that everyone’s prayers accompany him and the Greeks of the Diaspora, “the holy clergy of America, its flock, and the Greek Community that is under the protection and blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
The Archbishop of America expressed his joy for his visit to Thessaloniki, saying, “It is a profound joy and emotional experience to be in Thessaloniki, the historic capital of beloved Macedonia, a region for which the Greeks of the Diaspora, particularly those from America, have fervently defended.”
He shared an incident that profoundly influenced his subsequent life and journey, recounting that thirty years ago, in the same church of St. Gregory Palamas, he, as a lay theologian, participated in a service led by the late Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Panteleimon II. At that time, the deacon was none other than the present Father Benedict from Cyprus, who was once again present in the church today. He said that on that day he made the great decision to follow the journey of priesthood. “I took the decision in this church to become a unmarried clergyman thirty years ago and to return to Constantinople and serve the Patriarch,” he said.
Elpidophoros praised the personality of the new Metropolitan Philotheos and described his election as “successful” and “excellent.” “The young man can be seen by his footprint. From the very beginning, he demonstrated the significance, gravity, and conscientiousness required for the position, proving himself worthy to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, particularly his immediate forerunner, Anthimos, who graced us with his subtle presence, well-wishing, and blessing.”
“Anti-Semitism is a fascist practice, anti-evangelical and anti-Christian”
On the occasion of the Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Archbishop of America stressed, “It is an day that must always be remembered with thoughtfulness and reflection because what happened then does not only concern the Jews; it concerns everyone. Anti-Semitism concerns us all.”
“Anti-Semitism is not just about Israel and the Jews. Anti-Semitism is a fascist practice, anti-evangelical and anti-Christian, always targeting a category of people. Today it is Jews; tomorrow, it may be someone else, and it will always be someone else.
It is really very dangerous because in America we have experienced it at the beginning of the 20th century when the Greeks were deemed as the dangerous ones. We were unwelcome along with black people, back when racial discrimination was taking place in America. These practices must therefore be condemned. Antisemitism must find us all opposed, united—every human being, regardless of race or religion. As Christians, we especially affirm our belief in the equality of all people.”
The Divine Liturgy was attended by New Democracy MPs, Dimitris Kouvelas and Konstantinos Gioulekas, as well as the former mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop of America will participate in the events commemorating the National Day of Remembrance for the Greek Jewish Martyrs and Heroes of the Holocaust. He will be designated as an Honorary Member of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and will serve as the keynote speaker for the afternoon event at the Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos
